Gas heater



May 6 1924. 1 1,493,204

H. R. HUMPHREY GAS HEATER Filed Feb. 2 1922 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 &

INVENTOR.

Hubert Rfiumphrey A TTORNEYS May 6 1924f- H. R. HUMPHREY GAS HEATER Filed Feb. 2. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. Hubert RHum ohr ATTORNEY Patented May 6, 1924.

N I r o HUBZER'I. R. HUMPHREY, F KALAIVIAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL GAS LIGHT COMPANY, OF 'KALAIVIAZOO, MICHIGAN.

GAS HEATER.

Application filed February 2, 1922. Seria1.1fl"o.-533,651.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I-IUBERT R. HUMPH- REY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto improvements in gas heaters. The main objects of the invention are: First, to provide in a gas heater of the type employing vertically disposed radiating elements an improved means for support ing the radiating elements in position which 16 supports them both in their upright position and laterally spaces them.

Second, to provide in a structure of the class described an improved supporting means for the radiating elements which. per:

mits their being individually inserted or removed, each radiating element being independently supported.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is very attractive in appearance and in which the entire front of the radiating elements is exposed.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out int-he claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a front elevation of a gas heater embodying the features of my invention, only two, of the radiating elements being illustrated.

Fig. II is a front view of the fireback removed from the frame or housing with a pair of the radiating elements in operative relation thereto.

Fig. III is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Figs. I and IV, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. IV is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line l4 of Figs. III and V showing details of the recesses at the upper end of the fireback.

Fig. V is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. IV.

I accomplish theobjects of my invention- In the drawings similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the housing or frame and 2 the supporting plate or member mounted therein. 3 is one of the burner tips. The supporting plate is provided with openings 4 aligned with the tips. The details of the frame or housing are not illustrated or further described as they form no part of my present invention.

The supporting member 2 is, in the structure illustrated, provided with a longitudinalretaining rib 5 for the tubular foraminous radiating elements 6. The fireback 7 is arranged upon the support 2 and is provided with a forwardly projecting flange or overhang 8 having a series of recesses'9 in the under side thereof. 7 These recesses 9 are provided with web-like partitions 10 extending longitudinally of the fireback and constitutinga series of retaining members for the radiating elements which have. slotlilre notches 11 in their upperv ends adapted to receive these retaining members, as is clearly shown in Fig. III. These notches 11 areof such depth that the upper ends of the radiating. elements may be engaged in the recesses 9and the radiating elements lifted up, as shown by dotte lines in Fig. III, so that the lower ends will clear the rib 5 and may be swung over the same and the radiating elements adjusted upon the supporting plate in alignment with the holes 4 thereof while their upper ends are still engaged with the recesses 9, thereby supporting the radiating elements against forward and sidewise or lateral movement. The notches and their co-engaging parts on the fireback are of such depth that considerable variation in the length of the radiating elements is possible. The radiating elements are properly spaced and held in vertical alignment with the holes 4.

It has been quite usual practice to provide a retaining rod extending across the upper ends of the radiating elements, the rod being adjustable to permit the insertion and removal of the radiating elements. However, when this rod was in operative position all of the radiating elements were freed and might fall forward. Further, it did not serve to support them laterally and if their bottoms were not exactly squared the radiating elements would tilt or incline. By my improvements they are individually held in upright position and the objectionable feature of the rod extending across the same is eliminated.

The faces of the radiating elements are exposed to-the top thereof, which adds to the appearance and also renders it possible to observe the position of the parts in inserting and removing the radiating elements.

I have only illustrated one adaptation or embodiment of my invention, as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may be desired. I desire to point out, however, that I contemplate the embodiment of my improvements in a variety of relations and desire to be understood as claiming the same in the form illustrated as well as broadly Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a gas heater, the combination with a supporting member provided with a radiating element positioning means, a fireback arranged on said supporting member and having an overhanging portion at the front with a series of segmental recesses in its under side, said recesses having web-like partitions constituting radiating element retaining members, and radiating elements having slots in their upper ends adapted to receive said retaining members, the slots being of such size and depth that they may be engaged with said retaining members and manipulated to engage and disengage their lower ends with said positioning means.

2. In a gas heater, the combination with a supporting member provided with radiat-' ing element positioning means, a fireback arranged on said supporting member and having an overhanging portion with a series of recesses in its under side, said recesses having radiating element retaining members therein, and radiating elements having notches in their upper ends adapted to receive said retaining members, the notches being of such size and depth that they may be engaged with said retaining members in said recesses and their lower ends manipulated to engage and disengage with said positioning means.

3. In a gas heater, the combination with a fireback having an overhanging portion provided with a series of recesses having retaining members therein, and radiating elements having their upper ends disposed in said recesses and notched to coact with said retaining members.

I. In a gas heater, the combination of a fireback having a series of downwardly facing uniformly spaced recesses at the top thereof, and radiating elements disposed with their upper ends in said recesses, said radiating elements having vertical slots in their upper ends and said fireback having projections engaging said slots.

5. In a gas heater, the combination of a plurality of radiating elements and a fireback provided with a series of individual radiating element supporting members engaging the tops of the radiating elements at the rear of their faces whereby the faces of the radiating elements are fully exposed to the top thereof.

6. In a gas heater, the combination with a firebaek having a series of radiating element supporting members, and radiating elements having longitudinalrecesses in the upper ends thereof adapted to coact with said supporting members, said recesses being of such size and depth as to permit longitudinal and swinging movement of the radiating elements.

7. In a gas heater, the combination with a fireback having a series of radiating element supporting-members, and radiating elements having longitudinal recesses in the upper ends thereof adapted to coact with said supporting members.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

HUBERT R. 'HUMPHREY. [L. s.] 

